A local bike shop, known in the biking world as an LBS can be a source of joy and knowledge and they can also cause you woe. A good one is worth it's weight in gold and a bad one is best to be avoided. I shopped all of the local stores and made treks into others in outlying areas before I settled in on a store to purchase at when I bought my bike in April. I'd been looking since the previous autumn.
I ended up purchasing a bike from a store for two reasons;
They carried the brand of bike I wanted (fell in love with actually).
They had a policy of free lifetime tuneups and free labor on parts purchased and a 15% discount on parts and accessories.
The first reason was a very good one for making the choice I did.. The second one, not so much. I believe that you get what you pay for and I forgot that.
I took my bike in a few days ago and was told that the brake pads were worn and that some cables may need to be replaced and the wheels needed to be trued up. I picked up the bike and it shifted properly so that was fixed but even as I wheeled it out of the store I felt hesitation in the way it rolled. I mounted it on my carrier and spun the back wheel. It barely moved and stopped. I went right back into the store and the mechanic came out and made an adjustment after telling me some mumbo jumbo about how a rear tire won't spin as much as a front tire due to chain and deurailler etc. Mumbo jumbo indeed. In the store I had asked if the wheels had been trued and was never given a direct answer.
At home and upside down I spun the cranks and while the wheels spin freely there is a noticable noise. This bike shop has three locations and I may give another of their stores an opportunity to go over the bike for adjustments. If the service is good, fine I'll go there from now on. If not, I already have an LBS in mind to use where I have had some other work done on my other bike. That shop has passion for what they do and they love bikes and people who ride them.
A good shop is worth their weight in gold.
I totally agree and never be afraid to speak up. I love the new look.
ReplyDeleteHow unprofessional of them. I hope that another one of their group can sort it out for you.
ReplyDeleteOddly enough, I wrote a draft post on local bike shops yesterday, but haven't finished it properly.
Sue I'm glad you like the new look, I feel like I have a new hair style!
ReplyDelete